13.07.2018Bayer 04

Werkself start football-specific preparations

The Bayer 04 players are on the ball again. After the official end to the summer break last Thursday, Heiko Herrlich led out his players for the second session on the training ground at the BayArena on Friday afternoon: Following the performance tests for the pros and a session on Saturday, the Bayer 04 head coach arranged a three-day bike tour and then gave his players two days off. With the clear aim of his players being well and truly up for the pre-season.

In summer temperatures, Herrlich had to manage without five players in World Cup finalist Tin Jedvaj, Germany international Julian Brandt (holiday), Lukas Hradecky (wisdom tooth operation), Charkes Aranguiz (rehab training after slight knee injury) and Panos Retsos (hand injury) – nevertheless, there were 21 outfield players and three goalkeepers on the training ground. To start with, Lars Bender, Mitchell Weiser and Co. worked on coordination drills on the ball before the Werkself first team players split into pairs for crosses and shots at goal. The most accurate duo were were Kevin Volland and Julian Baumgartlinger ahead of Sven Bender and Dominik Kohr.

"Tomorrow we'll start on different moves," announced Heiko Herrlich ahead of the forthcoming training sessions at the weekend (Saturday, 10.30 and 16.00 CET plus Sunday at 10.30 CET) five days before the first friendly at SV Rossbach/Verscheid (18 July, 18.00 CET). The pre-season is now finally underway.

Related News

Women - 11.12.2025

Women in final Hinrunde game at Werder Bremen

The penultimate Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year marks the end of an eventful first half of the season for the Bayer 04 Women. After seven wins, one draw and four defeats from the first twelve games of the season, coach Roberto Pätzold's team can go above Werder Bremen in the table with a win on Friday, 12 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET).

eSports - 11.12.2025

#B04eSports: Match between the two Showdown winners opens the third event

The third showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 kicks off for the Leverkusen eSports team this Thursday, 11 December (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Red will once again take on six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round, which will take place at this third showdown on 19 December in Cologne. Showdown One winners Bayer 04 will face FC St. Pauli, who won the second showdown last month, among others. The lowdown on first three opponents in this online preliminary round.

Alejandro Grimaldo, Ibrahim Maza und Christian Kofane

Champions League - 10.12.2025

Werkself level late in 2-2 draw with Newcastle United

Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.

Champions League - 10.12.2025

Matchday news #B04NEW: Take on Newcastle with efficiency and quick transitions

The Werkself will be looking to continue their run in the Champions League against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The two victories without conceding a goal at Benfica (1:0) and Manchester City (2-0) will hopefully be followed by a win at home at the BayArena. Against the English side, who have a player with a Black and Red past in their ranks, the way to victory could be through efficiency in attack and quick transitional play. The latter in particular has recently caused the Magpies problems away from home on the European stage. Fans can also get the stylish matchday sticker for their Sound of Dreams tour pass at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. The matchday news.

Jubel nach dem 1:0 gegen Newcastle United

U19 - 10.12.2025

2-1 against Newcastle United- U19s though to Youth League knockout phase for the first time

For the first time ever, Bayer 04 have reached the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League. At the end of the league phase, the Leverkusen U19s secured a 2-1 home win against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December. Montrell Culbreath scored before half-time and Ferdinand Pohl doubled the lead after the restart in the clash with the English side. The UCL youth competition continues at the beginning of February with the Round of 32, which will be played away from home without a second leg.